U.S. Quake Housing Vouchers Extended for Six Months

The federal government has extended temporary housing subsidies for thousands of displaced earthquake victims for six more months in response to the continuing need of many who have been unable to find an affordable place to live.

The decision, which affects 11,000 low-income families throughout Los Angeles County, extends the housing vouchers to Dec. 31--nearly two years after the Jan. 17, 1994, earthquake that became the nation’s second-costliest natural disaster.

The vouchers, which were scheduled to expire at the end of this month, were issued to low-income families to subsidize about 70% of their rent.

“The majority of the families didn’t have any options,” said Steve Renahan, a Los Angeles city housing official. “The only option they had was to double-up or triple-up with friends or families or be homeless.”

Jeff Farber, director of social services for the Los Angeles Family Housing Corp. in North Hollywood, a private agency that has provided counseling for some of the displaced families, said that without the extension many would be unable to find decent, affordable housing.

“It gives people the additional time to save money, repair credit or look for housing, “ he said. “It’s a breath of relief.”